When Marco Namowicz planned the first casual tea hangout for the Chicago “CommuniTea,” he had no idea what to expect. Just in case the event went bitter, the longtime tea educator and retail operations manager at Argo Tea pulled out board games and projected a tea documentary on the walls of Living Water Tea House in Chicago’s Little Italy. Six hours later, the event proved sweet.
Attendees enjoyed live music and delicate tea gelato in the tranquil ambiance of the contemporary tea parlor, while soaking up conversations and tea from East Asia in flavors such as rich pu-erh, warm oolong and graded Japanese matcha. As a larger group of tea enthusiasts and professionals bonded over cup after cup, the sprang to life. From casual meetups and educational workshops to monthly CommuniTea nights and more, attendees have brewed up friendships and traditional Asian tea flavors for the past two years.
It’s now a space where anyone can bring a cup full of curiosity to the table, Namowicz said. On a CommuniTea evening, dry and wet leaves are passed around so people can smell and touch them. In just a matter of minutes, hot water works its magic on the leaves, creating amber liquid with a floral taste.
Assigned roles, based on practices Namowicz picked up from a Chinese teahouse, ensure everyone can play a part. The designated pourer makes sure everyone has their cup, and a runner might change out the waste bowl and bring more water. The holistic experience makes the brewing of tea f.